Child-resistant container assembly and components thereof

ABSTRACT

A safety latching ring, for protecting cylindrical medicine vials and other containers having cylindrical mouths provided with snap-on closure caps from being opened by children, is provided with a latch chamber internally thereof for each of the usual laterally projecting tabs of the closure cap. The latch chamber has frictionally restricted entry and exit, so that, in their latched relationship, the cap and the protective latching ring freely rotate in unison relative to the vial to thereby prevent opening of the vial unless the cap is pressed tightly against the vial rim. Such pressure frictionally anchors the cap to the vial, permitting the latching ring to be rotated relative thereto for moving each tab into or out of its latching chamber. The combined pressing and turning actions necessary to release the latching ring from the vial cap are too much for children to manage. The vial cap preferably has two, three, or even more tabs symmetrically arranged and the latching ring a corresponding number of latch chambers correspondingly arranged. For added safety, the vial and vial cap are both shouldered circumferentially to mate with corresponding formations of the latching ring and prevent anchoring pressure from being transmitted from the latching ring through the cap to the vial.

Thornton et al.

1 3,811,589 May 21, 1974 [5 1 CHILD-RESISTANT CONTAINER ASSEMBLY ANDCOMPONENTS THEREOF [76] Inventors: Theodore Wayne Thornton; Ronald W.Thornton, both of 2036 Laird Dr., SaltLake City, Utah 84108 221 Filed:May 30,1972 21 Appl. No.: 257,774

[52] U.S.Cl. 215/9,2l5/95 [51'] Int. Cl B65d 55/02 [58] Field of Search215/9, 41, 44, 95, 97; v 292/2566; 285/362, 377, 396

[56] References Cited j STATES PATENTS 3-,'4'50; 290'* 6/1969. Turn e rl.l 215/9 714,303 11/1902 Hoffman..... 215/44 3,459,446 8/1969 Walsh285/362 3,627,16Q l2/l97l Horvath 215/9 3,482,723 12/1969 Esposito 215/93,469,725 9/1969 Turner....'. 215/9 Primary Examiner Donald F. NortonAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Philip A. Mallinckrodt 57] ABSTRACT cine vialsand other containers having cylindrical mouths provided with snap-onclosure caps from being opened by children, is provided with a latchchamber internally thereof for each of the usual laterally projectingtabs of the closure cap. The latch chamber has frictionally restrictedentry and exit, so that, in their latched relationship, the cap and theprotective latching ring freely rotate in unison relative to the vial tothereby prevent opening of the vial unless the cap is pressed tightlyagainst the vial rim. Such pressure frictionally anchors the cap to thevial, permitting the latching ring to be rotated relative thereto formoving each tab into or out of its latching chamber. The com binedpressing and turning actions necessary to release the latching ring fromthe vial cap are too much for children to manage. The vial cappreferably has two, three, or even more tabs symmetrically arranged andthe latching ring a corresponding number of latch chamberscorrespondingly arranged. For added safety, the vial and vial cap areboth shouldered circumferentially to mate with corresponding formationsof the latching ring and prevent anchoring pressure from beingtransmitted from the latching ring through the capto the vial.

13 Claims, 9-Drawing Figures tainers for medicines andother substancesthat could be dangerous for children,- and is particularly concernedwith such containers that employ separate latching rings for protectivepurposes.

2. State of the Art Cylindrical vials with snap-on caps are commonlyemployed by prescription druggists as containers for a variety of pillsand other medicines sold to customers. Since these are easily opened asconventially constructed, they pose a. potential danger to children.Much effort has been expended in attempts to render such vialschild-resistant bymaking them as difficult as possible for children toopen. One approach to this is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,58'l,925,issued June l,

197], wherein a latching ring isp'rovidedfor installation on such a vialby slipping it onto'the vial from the bottom thereof and by engaging theusual laterally extending tab of the cap in a latch chamber, from whichit can be released only by manually operating a latch memberthat isdifficult of access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, alatching ring which I believe to be superior to my previously patentedring requires no manipulation ofa latch'member that is difficult ofaccess to unlatch the ring for removal thereof so as to expose the capfor removal in the usual manner. There is nothing about the operationthat is difficult for an adult or mature youth, and maximum safety forchildren is assured. Opening of the'containers is normally prevented byreason of the fact that latching ring and cap rotate freely relative tothe container. It is only when the cap, is pressed tightly against therim of the container and held there while the latching ring I is, turnedrelativeto, both container and that unlatching and removal of the capcan take place. This is easy for an adult or mature youth, butpractically impossible for an infant or young child.

Each latchingchamber for receiving a tab-of the contaiastsaphafrictionally ,t s tisfi n ryamls r e'rted on the latching ring willnotfrictionally anchor the cap to thecontainer and thereby defeat thesafety feature of the invention.

THE DRAWING A construction constituting the best mode presentlycontemplated for carrying out the invention in actual practice is.illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: I I

' FIG. I is a pictorial view ofa latching ring embodying i so twolatchchambers for applicationto a snap-on closure cap having-two diametrically opposite tabs, the ring being shown per so looking from abovetoward the inside;

FIG. 2, a similar view drawn to a reduced scale showing the latchingring being applied to a medicine vial and its snap-on closure cap, bothvial and cap being fabricated with shoulders adapted to mate withcorresponding shoulders of the latching ring in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 3, a top plan view of the closure cap about to be engaged by thelatching ring;

FIG. 4, a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line '4-4 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5, a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.3;

FIG. 6, a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing the closure capand latching ring in full latching engagement;

FIG. 7, a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but taken on the line 7-7 ofFIG. 6;

' FIG. 8, a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but taken on the line 8-8 ofFIG. 6; and

FIG. 9, a pictorial view showing the safety-latched vial'ofFIGS. 6, 7,and 8 in the process of being unlatched by an adult. I

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT In its illustratedpreferred form, the child-resistant container'assembly ofthe inventionis a medicine via] 10 having a snap-on closure cap 11 and a safetylatching ring 12. All of these component items are preferably injectionmolded to final form from suitable thermoplastic materials commonly usedfor the purpose.

' Vial 10 is of rigid cylindrical formation throughout with a rimIOa'adapted to receive and hold snap-on cap 11, which is preferablyflexible throughout and has the usual skirt 11a provided with the usualinternally projecting, integral. snap ring member 11b for engaging rim10a of the vial. Cap 11 is provided with at least one and preferably twoor three laterally extending pull tabs- 13 of usual formation moldedintegrally therewith. As illustrated, there are two of these pull tabs13 diametrically opposed.

Safety latching ring 12 in this instance is formed for installation fromthe bottom of vial I0 upwardly thereof so as to closely surround closurecap 11, and has diametrically opposed latch chambers 14 and entryways 15opening into the top of the annular body of the ring for the receptionof respective tabs 13 of the closure cap. Latch chambers 14 are'formedinternally of the body ofthe ring and are open to the inner peripherythereof. In the present instance. each latch chamber is formed as apocket having a closed end 14a. Between entryway l5 and latch chamber 14is a frictionally restricted passageway 16 constituting at least theopen entrance to such latch chamber, and, in the present; instance.extending throughout the entire length of such chamber.

It can be easily realized that the extent of frictional resistance toentry of a tab 13 into the latch chamber may be asdesired. Thus,frictionally restricted passageway 16 may be relatively short, with theremainder of latch chamber 14 offering no frictional resistance tomovement of the received tab, or, as indicated previously, it may itselfconstitute most of or, as here illustrated, the entire latch chamber.Moreover, it is not necessary that the latch chambers be closed pockets.

They can be open at both ends, with both ends or the entire lengthproviding frictional resistance to tab entry and exit. Also, dependingupon the type of container or the desire to apply the latching ring fromthe top rather than the bottom of a vial of the type illustrated, theentryways can open into the bottom of the annular body of the latchingring instead of into the top, it being realized that this would not benearly as secure as the form illustrated, because of the need under suchcircumstances to maintain the inner diameter of the ring uniformthroughout, which would eliminate the seat for skirt 11a of the capdescribed hereinafter.

The purpose of latch chambers 14 is to confine the respective tabs 13against unlatching rotation of latching ring 12 relative to closure cap11 and vial 10 (or vice versa) unless and until closure cap 11 ispressed downwardly against the top surface 17 of rim 10a of the vialssufficiently forcefully, usually by the thumb of the hand holding thevial, see FIG. 9, to frictionally anchor such cap on such rim of thevial while the required relative rotation is being effected. This is toomuch for young children, who are to be protected from the danger ofunsupervised consumption of the contents ofthe vial, to carry out by oramong themselves. Without this described manipulation, closure cap 11will rotate freely in unison with latching ring 12 and will .merely turnidly relative to the vial (or vice versa).

It should be understood that the same combined downward pressure onclosure cap 11 and forceful rotation are necessary to latch the safetylatching ring in protective position following authorized dispensing ofcontents from the vial.

It is desirable that protection be afforded against possible anchoringof cap to container by pressure exercised other than as described above,whereby the container might be opened by random manipulations of evensmall children. For this purpose and as optional features of theinvention, a set of mating shoulders may be provided between containermouth and latching ring and a set of mating shoulders may also beprovided between closure cap and latching ring.

In the illustrated embodiment, vial I is preferably externallyshouldered, as at 18, FIG. 5, below but adjacent to rim a by making theremainder 10b of the depth of the container slightly less in diameterthan the portion 10c thereabove. In turn, the annular body of latchingring 12 is correspondingly shouldered internally around its lowerinterior rim, as at 19, for mating abutment against shoulder 18 ofthevial. This prevents possible frictional anchorage between cap and vialby pressure on the latching ring from below.

Also, latching ring 12 is preferably less in internal diameter aroundits lower portion than around its upper portion and is advantageouslyprovided with an upstanding internal collar 20. FIGS. 1, 5. and 8,serving as an annular shoulder that provides a bearing seat for theskirt Ila ofclosure cap II, and such cap 11 is provided with acorresponding annular groove 21, FIG. 5, around the lower interiorcircumference of skirt Ila for receiving collar 20 and for defining anoverhanging shoulder 22, FIG. 8, for mating abutment against theshoulder provided by collar 20. This prevents possible frictionalanchorage between cap and vial when latching ring 12 is pulleddownwardly. Collar 20 is advantageously slightly tapered, as illustratedin somewhat exaggerated manner, to provide for free and easyinstallation of the latching ring.

It should be noted that the making of the lower portion 10b of the vialI0 slightly less in diameter than the upper portion 10c thereof effectsthe further purpose of providing space for'application to the vial ofthe usual prescription label 23, without interfering with installationand removal of the latching ring relative to the vial.

Entryways 15 in latching ring 12 should be at least as long as tabs 13of closure cap 11 are wide, to insure ease of operation. Advantageouslythey are longer, as illustrated, and terminate in ramps 15a tofacilitate separation between latching ring and closure cap.

It is desirable to provide detents near the closed ends of therespective latch chambers 16, as, for example, the internal projections24, see particularly FIGS. 1, 4, and 8, which provide additionalfrictional gripping of tabs 1321s they are forced deeply into therespective receiving pockets. In order to be sure that this additionallatching feature is fully utilized upon any installation of latchingring over closure cap, it is desirable to provide means for visuallyindicating full entry of the tabs into the respective latch chambers.Such means may take the form of peepholes 25 in the latching ring or ofindicating marks, such as the arrows 26, on the closure cap and latchingring, or both may be employed as in the present embodiment.Alternatively or additionally, a detent 24 may be located. adjacent tothe entry mouth of each latch chamber or mutually spaced detents may belocated along the length of each latch chamber, or any of the definingwalls thereof, either to provide the required frictional restrictions orto supplement it. Normally, as in the form illustrated, the frictionalresistance of passageway 16 will be provided by making its heightsomewhat less than the height of the tab-13 to be received and one ormore detents 24 will merely supplement the latching action of suchfrictional restriction.

Whereas there is here specifically illustrated and described a specificconstruction presently contemplated as the best mode of carrying out theinvention, it should be understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the inventive concepts defined by the claims thathere follow.

We claim:

1. A latching ring for a container having a cylindrical mouth with a rimformed to receive a snap-on closure cap. that has at least one laterally.extending tab, said latching ringcomprising an annular body adapted toclosely surround the closure cap of such a container; a latch chamberformed internally of said body and open to the inner periphery thereoffor receiving said tab; an entryway in said body for receiving said tabwhen the latching ring is applied to the closure cap; a frictionallyrestricted passageway extending circumferentially in said body forreceiving said tab from said entryway and for frictionally restrictingrotation of said ring relative to said cap. said latching ring andclosure cap being normally freely rotatable together on and with respectto the cylindrical mouth of the container, whereby the closure cap willnormally move in unison with the latching ring when the latter isrotated relative to the container but is adapted for frictionalanchorage to the rim of the container by means of pressure appliedthereto, so that turning of said ring relative to the'soanchored closurecap will force said tab to enter into or to exit from said latchchamber.

2. A latching ring in accordance with claim 1, I

wherein there is a plurality of sets of latch chambers, entryways, andrestricted passageways arranged symmetrically about the circumferentialextent of the annular body. t

3. A latching ring in accordance with claim 1, wherein each latchchamber is open at one end and closed at the opposite end.

4. A latching ring' in accordance with claim 3, wherein a detent for thereceived tab of the closure cap is located adjacent the closed end ofthe latch chamber.

- chamber.

8. A latching ring in accordance with claim 1, wherein the annular bodyis shouldered internally around its lower interior rim for abutmentagainst a mating shoulder of the cylindrical mouth of the container. n

9. A child-resistant container assembly, comprising a container having acylindrical mouth with a rim formed to receive a snap-on closure cap; asnap-on closure cap adapted to fit over said mouth and to seat on saidrim thereof, said cap having at least one laterally extending tab; and alatching ring in accordance with claim 1 adapted to fit over and aroundsaid cap and to receive said tab in latching cooperation therewith.

10. A child-resistant container assembly in accordance with claim 9.wherein the cylindrical mouth of the container is shouldered below theclosure-can receiving rim to mate with a corresponding shoulder of thelatching ring. said latching ring having a corresponding shoulder formedinternally thereof around its lower interior rim for abutment againstthe shouldered portion of thecylindrical mouth of the container.

11. A child-resistant container assembly in accordance with claim 10,wherein the container is a medicine vial of cylindrical formation havingsubstantially uniform diameter throughout its length from bottom toshouldered position thereof, so that latching ring can be installed fromthe bottom of the vial upwardly thereon and so that a label can beaccommodated below said shouldered portion without interfering with saidlatching ring.

12. A child-resistant container assembly in accordance with claim 9,wherein the closure cap is provided with an annular groove around thelower interior rim of its snap-on skirt to provide an overhangingshoulder; and the latching ring is provided with an upstanding collarinternally thereof serving as an annular shoulder for reception by saidgroove and providing a bearing seat for said closure cap.

13. A latching ring for a container having a cylindrical mouth with arim formed to receive a snap-on closure cap that has at least onelaterally extending tab. said latching ring comprising an annular bodyadapted to closely surround the closure cap of such a container; a latchchamber formed internally of said body and open to the inner peripherythereof for receiving said tab; an entryway in said body for receivingsaid tab when, the latching ring is applied to the closure cap; africtionally restricted passageway in said body for said tab, saidpassageway leading from said entryway into said latch chamber, said bodybeing freely rotatable on the cylindrical mouth of the container,whereby the closure cap will normally move in unison with the latchingring when thelatter is rotated relative to the container but is adaptedfor frictional anchorage to the rim of the container by means ofpressure applied thereto, so that turning of said ring relative to thesoanchored closure cap will force said tab to enter into an annulargroove around the lower interior circumference thereof to receive saidcollar and to provide an overhanging shoulder for mating with saidshoulder of the collar. I

1. A latching ring for a container having a cylindrical mouth with a rimformed to receive a snap-on closure cap that has at least one laterallyextending tab, said latching ring comprising an annular body adapted toclosely surround the closure cap of such a container; a latch chamberformed internally of said body and open to the inner periphery thereoffor receiving said tab; an entryway in said body for receiving said tabwhen the latching ring is applied to the closure cap; a frictionallyrestricted passageway extending circumferentially in said body forreceiving said tab from said entryway and for frictionally restrictingrotation of said ring relative to said cap, said latching ring andclosure cap being normally freely rotatable together on and with respectto the cylindrical mouth of the container, whereby the closure cap willnormally move in unison with the latching ring when the latter isrotated relative to the container but is adapted for frictionalanchorage to the rim of the container by means of pressure appliedthereto, so that turning of said ring relative to the so-anchoredclosure cap will force said tab to enter into or to exit from said latchchamber.
 2. A latching ring in accordance with claim 1, wherein there isa plurality of sets of latch chambers, entryways, and restrictedpassageways arranged symmetrically about the circumferential extent ofthe annular body.
 3. A latching ring in accordance with claim 1, whereineach latch chamber is open at one end and closed at the opposite end. 4.A latching ring in accordance with claim 3, wherein a detent for thereceived tab of the closure cap is located adjacent the closed end ofthe latch chamber.
 5. A latching ring in accordance with claim 3,wherein the annular body is provided with means for visually indicatingfull entry of the tab of the closure cap into the latch chamber.
 6. Alatching ring in accordance with claim 5, wherein the indicating meansis a peephole extending through the annular body from the upper surfacethereof to the interior of the latch chamber adjacent to the closed endof said chamber.
 7. A latching ring in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe frictionally restricted passageway extends throughout substantiallythe entire length of the latch chamber.
 8. A latching ring in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the annular body is shouldered internally aroundits lower interior rim for abutment against a mating shoulder of thecylindrical mouth of the container.
 9. A child-resistant containerassembly, comprising a container having a cylindrical mouth with a rimformed to receive a snap-on closure cap; a snap-on closure cap adaptedto fit over said mouth and to seat on said rim thereof, said cap havingat least one laterally extending tab; and a latching ring in accordancewith claim 1 adapted to fit over and around said cap and to receive saidtab in latching cooperation therewith.
 10. A child-resistant containerassembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein the cylindrical mouth ofthe container is shouldered below the closure-cap-receiving rim to matewith a corresponding shoulder of the latching ring, said latching ringhaving a corresponding shoulder formed internally thereof around itslower interior rim for abutment against the shouldered portion of thecylindrical mouth of the container.
 11. A child-resistant containerassembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the container is amedicine vial of cylindrical formation having substantially uniformdiameter throughout its length from bottom to shouldered positionthereof, so that latching ring can be installed from the bottom of thevial upwardly thereon and so that a label can be accommodated below saidshouldered portion without interfering with said latching ring.
 12. Achild-resistant container assembly in accordance with claim 9, whereinthe closure cap is provided with an annular groove around the lowerinterior rim of its snap-on skirt to provide an overhanging shoulder;and the latching ring is provided with an upstanding collar internallythereof serving as an annular shoulder for reception by said groove andproviding a bearing seat for said closure cap.
 13. A latching ring for acontainer having a cylindrical mouth with a rim formed to receive asnap-on closure cap that has at least one laterally extending tab, saidlatching ring comprising an annular body adapted to closely surround theclosure cap of such a container; a latch chamber formed internally ofsaid body and open to the inner periphery thereof for receiving saidtab; an entryway in said body for receiving said tab when the latchingring is applied to the closure cap; a frictionally restricted passagewayin said body for said tab, said passageway leading from said entrywayinto said latch chamber, said body being freely rotatable on thecylindrical mouth of the container, whereby the closure cap willnormally move in unison with the latching ring when the latter isrotated relative to the container but is adapted for frictionalanchorage to the rim of the container by means of pressure appliedthereto, so that turning of said ring relative to the so-anchoredclosure cap will force said tab to enter into or to exit from said latchchamber; said annular body having an upstanding collar internallythereof, providng an annular shoulder as a bearing seat for a containerclosure cap having a skirt that is provided with an annular groovearound the lower interior circumference thereof to receive said collarand to provide an overhanging shoulder for mating with said shoulder ofthe collar.